When I don’t realize he’s right behind me, arms raised for me to pick him up.

“Mom?”

Cian has started to vocalize. Finally. A lot. It is wonderful and awesome and he is so, so proud of himself, talking with us in his baby voice that surprises me, because like it is with all children, the sound that is your child’s voice is never what you think you’re going to hear when it first starts happening. And then you hear it and your heart explodes all over the place, and every time this little person speaks you think it’s the most beautiful music in the world. Even better-crafted than the crescendo of Jane’s Addiction’s “Three Days.” Honest. Better than that.

“Ma.”

It’s his favorite word right now, followed by “up.” He uses it all the time, constantly. I don’t mind.